I have actually utilized a lot of different e-mail list systems over the years. In the last number of years, I have actually been a massive supporter of digital sovereignty and possessing your very own platform. Because of that (and the incredible features), I have actually been making use of N8 Ventures Beehiiv.
So, it is without a doubt an odd move for me to choose to utilize BeeHiiv. Nevertheless, it is a hosted application and I am paying regular monthly for it.
Why did I do this?
In this BeeHiiv testimonial, I intend to review why I made the button to BeeHiiv for my e-newsletters. I wish to attend to the concern of digital sovereignty while utilizing the system and I ‘d additionally like to attend to why I picked to utilize it over Substack.
Let’s dive in …
BeeHiiv: Constructed For Newsletters
In Issue # 435 of my newsletter called My Hobby + A Huge Change In Technique, I discussed just how and why I determined to turn my motor home blog site right into mainly an e-newsletter. I determined that was the business design I wanted to pursue keeping that building.
Yet, to deliberately seek it as an e-newsletter, I desired a system that was purpose-built for that. I was making use of FluentCRM for the email listing for Gladly motor home, however FluentCRM is not a newsletter platform. It is constructed to be a CRM and marketing automation device and, truthfully, using it for newsletters is a little a waste. Extra on that in a little bit.
As I stated because problem of the newsletter …
Basically, BeeHiiv is a platform with tools built into it specific to my function. Things such as:
- Capability to publish (to the blog site) and send out the e-mail at the same time without having it be 2 different activities.
- Integrated in newsletter referral program. FluentCRM doesn’t have that and I would certainly have needed a third-party device like Sparkloop.
- Integrated capability to do cross-promotions with other newsletters on the BeeHiiv system.
- ” Magic Links”, which are essentially one-click registration links. Great for promotion in various other e-newsletters. FluentCRM has Smart Hyperlinks, however, so there are means to do that.
- Capability to do paid “boosts” on the BeeHiiv network to advertise your e-newsletter.
- Built-in advertisement network, if I pick to generate income from with ads in the newsletter. And I may.
- Built-in ability to run a paid newsletter upgrade and primarily run a costs newsletter. And BeeHiiv does not take a cut.
Generally, BeeHiiv is purpose-built for newsletter publishers with features targeted at growth. The system was actually built by the individuals that developed the modern technology for Early morning Mixture. They know what they’re doing.
That is the point right here. BeeHiiv is developed from the ground up for the function of running a newsletter. FluentCRM has a various function.
And I ended off with this:.
I might without a doubt be relocating The Edge over to BeeHiiv too. A minimum of, I’m strongly considering it.
Well, I really did not consider it for long. Actually, I just went all out. And as a matter of fact, The EDGE was re-branded over to The Early morning WP, triggered as it’s very own property to ensure that I can grow it much more deliberately also.
The objective is that each e-newsletter has the capability to be branded as it’s very own media entity and expanded individually. Happily RV was young, so simple to shift. But, The Morning WP (previously The Side) was hidden in a sea of things right here at the Blog Site Marketing Academy. By separating it off, I can do what I can to grow it on it’s own. It will obviously always be closely connected with the Blog site Marketing Academy, but does not need to be a part of it.
I switched to BeeHiiv due to the fact that it was constructed for this function. FluentCRM was not.
E-newsletters Versus Simply A Normal Email Listing
There’s a difference in between an e-newsletter system and just an e-mail list.
You can host your email checklist everywhere you desire and there are a number of them around, from Aweber, ActiveCampaign, Drip, ConvertKit … over to self-hosted alternatives like GroundHogg and FluentCRM.
What’s the distinction?
The primary distinction is that, with a newsletter system, the act of publishing suggests that it is going to your web site and to your e-mail clients concurrently.
With both BeeHiiv and Substack, you have a web site. You are publishing to that web site. But, you are likewise sending to all subscribers at the same time. The internet site and it’s subscribers are all in one. This makes management of the platform much simpler.
With most e-mail platforms, any type of newsletter you set up is done as an email campaign. It is built entirely separately from your website. So, for example, you might release an article to WordPress but after that you would require to independently develop and send out an email to your checklist to send it to subscribers. These are then two different collections of archives and two different actions due to the fact that post and your emails are not naturally connected.
The closest thing that turns WordPress right into a true newsletter system is Newsletter Glue.
It is a fitting name since it practically “glues” your newsletter to your WordPress articles and enables them to be the same thing. Absolutely, something like E-newsletter Glue would be a strong alternative if I wanted to continue to self-host everything. Nevertheless, you would certainly lose the growth tools that include a platform like BeeHiiv.
Publishing a newsletter naturally includes a various set of requirements than a typical e-mail listing.
You don’t usually need much marketing automation. You don’t generally require autoresponder series, event tracking, and all the bells and whistles of a marketing automation platform.
What you DO need, though, is one smooth posting experience and growth tools to assist you construct your subscriber base that are specific to newsletters.
BeeHiiv vs Substack
When I introduced to my clients that I was mosting likely to switch over the newsletter over to BeeHiiv, I had many individuals ask me why I was picking it over Substack.
To be clear, also besides the fact that I chose to select BeeHiiv, that does not suggest I believe Substack sucks. Actually, since Substack has been about much longer, it is more mature and has more features.
Even though BeeHiiv is more youthful, there are a pair things that originally got my attention:.
- BeeHiiv is especially customized to newsletter authors. Actually, it is essentially constructed by the exact same folks that constructed the technology behind Morning Brew. On the other hand, SubStack targets authors. In the real world, does not matter. But, the obvious positioning of BeeHiiv towards newsletter development called me out over the even more generic positioning of being a “developer”. Growth is what I want below.
- That branding and differentiation additionally means that BeeHiiv has some relatively huge brands and big publications using it. Whereas SubStack is aimed even more at solo developers. Once again, it simply tells me the consumer character difference in between both business.
Sending our my e-newsletter using FluentCRM really did not exactly draw. The only factor I would certainly consider trembling points up is if I thought I might GROW the list faster. And BeeHiiv talked exactly to that objective.
As a result of the targeting, I actually don’t view BeeHiiv and Substack as straight competitors. I assume BeeHiiv is targeting a various kind of customer. In fact, if anything, I see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being a lot more straight rivals.
However, allow’s dive much deeper than simply the placing below.
Things That Make BeeHiiv Better Than Substack
In general, BeeHiiv looks like it was developed by individuals who recognizing e-mail marketing. On the other hand, SubStack appears much more tailored towards designers.
For example, BeeHiiv supplies custom-made areas on subscribers. Currently, it isn’t as established as something like FluentCRM. However, it has it. Substack doesn’t.
BeeHiiv uses Automations. Actually, it is a visual automation builder that works a lot like what we have within FluentCRM.
To be clear, the automation capability is still early-phase. It is still quite restricted in triggers and the only action is the capacity to send out an email. Nonetheless, enhancements are coming. Soon sufficient, automations will certainly have new triggers as well as brand-new activities, such as customizing custom areas, sending webhooks, and so on. I’ve already seen enhancements to their automations just since I began using the system. As an example:
- Capability to activate automations based on which certain embed type they was available in on.
- Ability to automatically do re-engagement (and deal with individuals based upon opens up and non-opens).
- Capacity to do standard conditional logic branches.
Substack does not have automations such as this. Likely, it never ever will. Substack simply can not do this since the target audience of Substack just wouldn’t think to approach this like an e-mail marketer.
When it pertains to writing your e-newsletters, the creating user interface of BeeHiiv is simply a lot more tailored towards e-newsletters. Actually, it actually has resemblances to the WordPress block builder in just how it works. I find it to be extra user-friendly, directly.
Substack’s composing interface is nice and tidy, but it would be more equal to the classic editor for WordPress. Toolbar on top.
This difference is greater than simply form. For instance, with BeeHiiv you can insert a “Section” and then placed anything you want in it. Then, you can put Visibility alternatives on that particular area to show it only to paid subscribers, conceal it from e-mail, conceal from subscribers, show only to subscribers, and so on. Substack uses absolutely nothing like this.
And when/if the time comes that I begin a premium registration design, BeeHiiv doesn’t take any kind of earnings. Actually, you literally link approximately your very own Stripe account and it bills straight to it. With Substack, they will certainly take 10% of your earnings. Depending upon the number of customers you obtain, that 10% can be quite a bit even more money than the regular monthly expense of BeeHiiv.
Lastly, BeeHiiv has an API. This could appear unpopular, however what it implies is that there are integrations with BeeHiiv. You can actually make BeeHiiv deal with the outdoors making use of devices like Zapier or Make.com. This is HUGE. Substack essentially has … nothing. No integrations in all.
On the whole, I just seemed like BeeHiiv was more constructed towards genuine e-mail marketing. It was built by people who “get it”. Even the opt-in kinds and the landing page develops appear much better built for conversions. Growth is nitty-gritty with BeeHiiv.
Despite the fact that there are still features I want to see BeeHiiv include, I like the direction it is going more than Substack.
Things That Make Substack Better Than BeeHiiv
As I have said, Substack placements itself towards “makers” greater than e-mail marketing professionals and newsletter owners. For that reason, you see some things geared a lot more toward individuals who just think in regards to material production.
As an example, Substack supports podcasts. BeeHiiv does not.
Additionally, while BeeHiiv does sustain numerous magazines, they are treated fairly separately. Whereas Substack does have the ability to cross-post to multiple publications at the same time. This isn’t something I need, however … great for individuals that might need it.
Substack also has even more social capability built-in. For example, it has a conversation feature to host talks with customers. It likewise has a “Notes” function which functions type of like a social networks newsfeed where you can share points from various other “Stacks” you’re reading. Intriguing. In general, Substack is established to be extra like a social media network which supports long-form material.
Generally, Substack is likewise a lot more … minimalist. You either look after that or do not. Personally, I do not. However, if the objective is simpleness of interface and, honestly, features … Substack functions rather well.
Yet, I’ll be clear below …
When it involves actual marketing, I do not believe there’s much doubt that BeeHiiv is better suited. I searched for more factors that make Substack better than BeeHiiv, but truthfully … I have a difficult time discovering them.
BeeHiiv Vs ConvertKit
While BeeHiiv and Substack are often through to be the closest rivals, I in fact see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being the closer competitors. Both are going after the very same target audience and have similar abilities.
ConvertKit is likewise placed at makers (like Substack), yet it is a lot more strongly dealing with people who do it for service. ConvertKit has wonderful visual automation building, it’s own commerce platform, and a lot more. ConvertKit is an actually great system.
I’m not going to bore you with a complete feature-by-feature breakdown here. ConvertKit is well known already. But, here’s how I really feel BeeHiiv and ConvertKit contrast …
Things ConvertKit Is Better At …
As of now, ConvertKit has a lot more flexibility when it involves it’s automations. I will also claim that I discover ConvertKit’s automation builder to be a bit extra user-friendly than that of BeeHiiv.
ConvertKit sustains marking. This is simply a standard feature of email listings that enables division in a much more adaptable means than BeeHiiv presently does. I anticipate BeeHiiv to support tagging at some point soon, honestly. It seems like an oversight that it is missing N8 Ventures Beehiiv.
ConvertKit does now supply the ability to offer points using their very own platform. BeeHiiv does not. If that is essential to you, it might be a big deal for you. For me, nevertheless, I would certainly constantly choose a much more direct alternative anyway. For me, I choose to use my own system powered by WooCommerce.
ConvertKit has actually been about a lot longer and because of that has way much more integration alternatives. Tons of online tools and WordPress plugins integrate with ConvertKit. ConvertKit even has their very own WordPress plugin that is fairly powerful. For example, their plugin currently also sustains member-gated web content along with auto-embed of your e-newsletter archives right into your site. Essentially, this extra very closely places ConvertKit right into direct competition by having you have the ability to publish to your website and your e-mail listing at the same time.
BeeHiiv is badly doing not have in these sort of third-party integrations presently. It’ll arrive. Yet, we’re not there yet with it.
ConvertKit is also hectic dealing with the growth tools of BeeHiiv. For instance, BeeHiiv has the referral program and the Recommendation Engine where you can not only incentivize people to share your e-newsletter with benefits, yet you can also pay per lead within the inner advertisement network of BeeHiiv to expand your listing. These are truly awesome features of BeeHiiv. However …
Did you recognize ConvertKit obtained Sparkloop? Sparkloop is just one of one of the most well known viral promotion platforms for e-newsletters … and ConvertKit bought it. You can see the composing on the wall surface of what this indicates for the system going forward.
Things BeeHiiv Is Better At … N8 Ventures Beehiiv
BeeHiiv is much earlier in it’s product cycle than ConvertKit. Part of that implies much less features and much less integrations, which is all-natural for this phase of the cycle. However, it also implies that they are quickly developing.
In the short time that I have been a customer of BeeHiiv, I have witnessed nearly weekly release of brand-new features right into the system. And these aren’t undersized little features … however huge features that are rather essential. Their speed of development at this point has actually been impressive.
I additionally significantly appreciate how responsive they are. Actually, one of their product announcements about some design improvements to the website design features in fact had a tiny problem with the material width. I just replied to that e-mail to tell them. I promptly got a reply straight from the chief executive officer:.
That exact same day, the issue was taken care of.
Few days later, I provided an additional idea …
Sure enough, in a little bit over a week of that exchange, the ability to activate automations based upon the embed type used was included in the system.
That sort of responsiveness and straight participation of the team is something I truly appreciate.
An additional major factor of distinction here is the cost. Both platforms use free plans, nonetheless the BeeHiiv free plan offers much more ability and even more subscribers (2,500 vs 1,000) than ConvertKit.
As soon as you most likely to paid plans, the pricing of BeeHiiv is additionally much more favorable. ConvertKit appears less expensive at first glimpse due to the fact that their pricing web page shows lower numbers, however the subscriber limits are FAR reduced and your rate swiftly boosts as your checklist grows.
With BeeHiiv, your very first degree paid plan starts at $42/mo (paid yearly), however you can have up to 10,000 customers. That same dimension listing is mosting likely to run you $100/month with ConvertKit.
If you update to the “Scale” plan with BeeHiiv (their best plan and the one I directly utilize), you can grow your list as much as 100,000. A listing of that size would certainly run you $566/month with ConvertKit. If you want their referral network, as well, that places you at the $733/month plan. That’s if you pay each year, as well. With BeeHiiv, you can get all that for simply $84/month if you pay yearly.
BeeHiiv remains in a totally different league when it pertains to pricing (in a good way).
Will BeeHiiv at some point raise rates? They could as time goes on. But, I’m thinking people like myself who are currently in will be locked-in. We’ll see exactly how things continue.
Points I Would Like BeeHiiv To Include
One of things you definitely need to keep in mind is that BeeHiiv is fairly young. They do seem to develop rather rapidly and make new item statements somewhat usually, yet there are some basic features I truly want they had that I need to just await.
One is that they require to have a setting on membership types where I can pick an automation to run right at the type degree. That would be outstanding for a lot of factors. Currently, registration kinds look OK, however there’s extremely little settings for them to assist in segmentation.
It would certainly be nice to have identifying at the customer level. This would certainly be powerful.
I believe webhooks must belong to automations to make built-in automations simpler and reduce dependence on outside devices like Zapier.
There are additionally some small administrative user interface modifications that would certainly come in handy. As an example:
- Ability to bulk edit/remove clients.
- Ability to bulk edit articles (as an example, to label a number of them at the same time).
- Having a couple of fundamental fields as basic on clients (like the name).
- Some even more customization alternatives for the website (such as even more flexible color selections, headline control, and so on).
So, yeah … there are some shortcomings. Things I hope they finish with it in the future. BeeHiiv is pretty good, however it isn’t ideal and absolutely not nearly as created as something like FluentCRM or any other real CRM item.
It probably never ever will certainly be, either. As I stated, the function is various so it would not a lot a lot of feeling for BeeHiiv to come to be a full marketing automation platform. I presume you never ever understand, however.
Last Ideas On This BeeHiiv Review
I such as BeeHiiv rather a lot. Sufficient where I made a decision to switch my very own newsletters over to the system regardless of my individual choice for digital sovereignty and having my very own system.
Basically, for the e-newsletter posting design particularly, I saw adequate worth in their system to warrant the change.
Keep in mind, I do not make use of BeeHiiv as my unique e-mail list. I utilize BeeHiiv of what it is proficient at, but I intentionally have points set up to ensure that I additionally keep my checklist “in house” within FluentCRM.
If you make use of BeeHiiv, I recommend you do the exact same. It is simply an excellent insurance policy, for one. However, having a full-featured marketing automation system for your checklist will be of high usage (FluentCRM is a full marketing automation platform and BeeHiiv is not and likely never ever will certainly be).
So, the concern is … should YOU use BeeHiiv?
In my viewpoint, if you are using Substack right now, I ‘d most definitely think about changing to BeeHiiv. It will simply be extra business-friendly. It is targeting various capacities and various requirements. And also, BeeHiiv even has import tools for Substack, so the button must be quite uncomplicated.
If you are on ConvertKit currently, I ‘d possibly stay unless you have a huge e-mail checklist and are therefore being fleeced with their high regular monthly expense. You will certainly not (yet) have every feature of ConvertKit with BeeHiiv, however they are repeating quickly. There’s likewise a respectable possibility you’re not also making use of a few of those fancier features of ConvertKit and you do not even require them. Because of that, BeeHiiv can easily be a better and a lot more inexpensive fit.
Last but not least, if you plan to be very intentional concerning growing an e-newsletter, I think BeeHiiv is THE system to consider and maintain and eye on for you.
If you utilize BeeHiiv with eyes wide open concerning what it is created to be, it is among the most effective video games around today. This is the platform to enjoy.
BeeHiiv offers a 14-day trial on their paid plans. It is worth looking into for yourself. And if you wind up not sticking with the paid plan, you’ll locate the complimentary account to be rather feature abundant.